DISTRICT GOVERNOR HOPE'S CLUB VISIT
It was with excitement that we welcomed our District Governor Graeme Hope and his wife Susan in attending our club on Tuesday 6th October.
Rotary International is constituted of a central governing body in Evanston, USA and with each country divided into Districts containing individual autonomous clubs, but united under the guidance of a District Governor and their team in each District. They provide support services, education and manage District Grants to clubs to pursue their community projects.
Rotary has seven areas of focus which guides the choice of projects.
The reason for the governor's visit is to meet the members of the club and acquaint themselves of the planned programme for the year and offer support. They promote the vision of Rotary and encourage clubs to excel.
Governor Hope met with the board members where our planned progress for the year was outlined. We then enjoyed dinner in the Bistro of the Windy Hill Function centre with his wife Susan and Rotary friends, before heading upstairs for our Rotary meeting.
Following the meet and greet with the District Governor and his wife, president Denis Kosnar invited him to address the Club.
The Rotary motto for the year is Create Lasting Impact and he had 4 main themes to elaborate.
1. Members were to have a great club experience
2. Connect with the next generation
3. Grow our membership
4. Support and leverage The Rotary Foundation
He then presented a certificate of appreciation for the Club's donations of in excess of $100 per club member to Rotary Foundation, one of the world's largest philanthropic foundations, and was gratefully accepted by President Denis.
As part of the proceedings 3 Paul Harris recognitions were awarded to worthy recipients who have contributed to the Club's progress.
Although the Rotary Duck Race on the Maribyrnong River was Steve Chandler's brain child, it was Pam Chandler who inspired, organised and promoted the Duck Race and Ryan Chandler for his unflinching work in retrieving the ducks from Tasmania, cleaning and storing them and for untold work with the event. Congratulations to each of them.
Tony De Fazio, previous Past President with background in Government consulting, an untold hero was also awarded a Paul Harris Recognition with his advice and reviewing the Club's policies and in particular gender and equality aspects.
The evening finished with the admission of Shirley Kukk, previous member and President, as an Honorary Member of the Club for her unstinting work in preparing numerous funding submissions and in particular her involvement with Baha Tuluyan, a charity we support, for the protection and education for employment of street kids in Manila. She continues to serve on the board of the Royce & Gene Abbey Award Committee.
A very enjoyable and inspiring evening and we thank our District Governor and his wife for their presence.
